Three Practical Methods for Scientific Dairy Cattle Feeding
Three Methods for Scientific Dairy Cattle Feeding
Concentrate feeding method: From 15 days before calving to the peak of milk production (30 to 45 days after calving), feed more concentrate and less roughage. Starting 15 days before calving, feed each cow 1.5 to 1.8 kg of concentrate per day, then increase by 0.3 to 0.5 kg per day until 1 to 1.5 kg of concentrate is fed per 100 kg of body weight. The lactation period of dairy cattle can be divided into early lactation, peak lactation, mid lactation and late lactation. Milk production reaches its peak 1 to 3 months after calving, after which monthly milk production gradually declines by 5% to 10%. Based on this pattern, continue increasing the daily concentrate feed by 0.3 to 0.5 kg after calving until the peak of milk production appears, but the maximum daily concentrate feed must not exceed 17 kg. After the peak period, feed the dairy cattle according to normal standards.
Restricted feeding method: For dairy cattle that are robust and in good nutritional condition, implement pre-calving feed restriction. During the dry period, feed more high-quality succulent feed or green hay and less concentrate (daily amount not exceeding 4 kg); starting 1 week after calving, increase the concentrate feed by 0.3 to 0.5 kg per cow per day until the daily concentrate feed does not exceed 17 kg. The concentrate must be mixed thoroughly and the cattle allowed to eat freely; maintain this for 2 to 3 months.
Alternating feeding method: To achieve high and stable production and stimulate the appetite of dairy cattle, feed concentrate in a periodic alternating pattern of higher and lower amounts. Starting 10 days after calving, feed 8 kg of green hay, 10 kg of silage (12 kg of green grass or vegetable leaves), and 7 kg of concentrate per day for 1 week. Then gradually reduce the concentrate to 3 kg, increase the daily green hay amount to 11 kg, and feed 30 kg of succulent feed (green grass, vegetable leaves, root tubers, etc.), with other amounts unchanged, for 1 week. Then gradually increase the concentrate to 13 kg and maintain this until the end of the peak milk production period.
Restricted feeding method: For dairy cattle that are robust and in good nutritional condition, implement pre-calving feed restriction. During the dry period, feed more high-quality succulent feed or green hay and less concentrate (daily amount not exceeding 4 kg); starting 1 week after calving, increase the concentrate feed by 0.3 to 0.5 kg per cow per day until the daily concentrate feed does not exceed 17 kg. The concentrate must be mixed thoroughly and the cattle allowed to eat freely; maintain this for 2 to 3 months.
Alternating feeding method: To achieve high and stable production and stimulate the appetite of dairy cattle, feed concentrate in a periodic alternating pattern of higher and lower amounts. Starting 10 days after calving, feed 8 kg of green hay, 10 kg of silage (12 kg of green grass or vegetable leaves), and 7 kg of concentrate per day for 1 week. Then gradually reduce the concentrate to 3 kg, increase the daily green hay amount to 11 kg, and feed 30 kg of succulent feed (green grass, vegetable leaves, root tubers, etc.), with other amounts unchanged, for 1 week. Then gradually increase the concentrate to 13 kg and maintain this until the end of the peak milk production period.